a living museum: plant collections at powell gardens
TRANSCRIPT
A Living MuseumPowell Gardens’ Plant Collections
By Alan Branhagen, Director of Horticulture at
Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical gardenT M
970 acresincludes…
20 acres native prairie
woodlandswoodlands
successionareas
wetlandswetlands
a growing collection
The plant records used to curate our collections are called accessions and in 2014 numbered 20,000.
These records are an important long-term planning and reference tool, and because we follow the curation standards set by the American Public Gardens Association, our work becomes part of a larger effort to protect plants around the world.
For each type we record where the plants came from, how many we received, how they arrived (seeds, plugs, bulbs, etc.), and where they were planted. And if they don’t survive, we record that, too.
Working behind the scenes
Powell Gardens is a living museumwith curated collections. Staff andvolunteers painstakingly recordall of the relevant data.
Herbarium
Dr. Paul Redfern
Marie FryePlant Records
into the wild
In 2014 we began documenting all of the wild plant species growing at Powell Gardens as well. Having these plants on record builds the credentials we need to join Botanical Garden Conservation International, which focuses on protecting endangered plants.
We even track plants that defy captivity!
A look at some of our major
collections
NAPCC Magnolia Collection
MaxineMerrill
Ashe
Black Beauty
LeonardMessel
‘Frank’s Masterpiece’
‘Lilliputian’
‘DD Blanchard’
Elmwood CemeteryHistoric saucer
Magnoliasto plant:
Northern Sweetbay if you can have only one!
American Conifer SocietyReference Garden
Marvin Snyder
Tall Bearded Iris Collection
20 Years of American Iris SocietyMerit Winners
‘Kansas City’
‘JanetLemon’
‘Announcement’
‘UnforgetableFire’
‘Coral Sunset’
‘PrettyIs’
‘SecretService’
‘Change Of Pace’‘Pacific Destiny’
Iris
Collections we’re currently expanding
Milkweed Collection
Legacy Tree project
Plant collections to enjoy during a visit
Redbuds at entrance to the Visitor Center
Perennial Garden: 1,400 varieties
Jennifer Barnes’s picks:Seven Sons HeptacodiumJapanese AnemonesCrape MyrtlesToad Lilies Tricyrtis
Rock & WaterfallGarden: A collection of shade-loving plants
Janet Heter’s picks:Hellebores, AstilbesJack-in-the-pulpitUvularia grandiflora “Merrybells”
Meadow& Pavilionby E.Fay Jones
Queen Anne’s lacelate Mary Kay Powell’sfavorite wildflower
We’re selecting a pink versionto name after her.
Chapel: A showcase for native plants
Redbuds
VisitorCenter
Terrace Gardens, paint with plantsspring through fall
Brent Tucker’s picks:Lantana, BegoniasBromeliads, Passion vines
Conservatory
Parking Lot ArboretumNative Mo-Kan Trees
Island Garden: Rock garden and water plants
Living Wall
Rain Gardens
Fountain and Insectaries Garden
Heartland Harvest Garden: Nation’s largest edible landscape with 2,000 food plants!
Tomato mania!‘Martha Washington’ is Mark’s pick
Vegetables & Grains
Herbs Galore
Fruit and Nut Trees
Kikisui
Contender
Chojuro
Coco
Fruit Trees!
We look forward to seeing you at
Powell Gardens!
www.powellgardens.org